Powder dispensing device



Nov; 6, 1934.v I s, c. sTlMsoNv I 1,979,294

POWDER DI SPENS ING DEVICE Filed May l5, 1931 S14/vanto@ Patented Nov.6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE POWDER DIsPENsING DEVICE Stuart C. Stimson,Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application May 15, 1931, serial No. 537,733 21 claims. 4(o1. 13a-78.5)

This invention relates to devices involving permeation of powder orother solid particles, in operations such as dispensing, regulating,distributing, bolting, or gauging; or combinations of such operations.

A purpose of this invention is, first, to provide a novel reservoirpowder puff having heretofore unobtainable advantages, such ashereinafter suggested, and, second, to extend one or more of these othernew advantages to the greatest possible variety of other permeationoperations.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawing and inpart' indicated from the following analysis of this invention, in whichreference is made to the accompanying drawing illustrating an embodimentof my idea.

Broadly, my invention comprehends a distensible mechanism of positiveaction, appropriately embodied and adapted to useful operationsinvolving permeation of particles of solid' matter, and characterized byinterstices capable n of significantly variable permeability to solidparticles, whose variations of permeability are effected by manipulationand are accompanied by proportionate variations in the total areaenclosed or defined by the portion of the medium affected by suchmanipulation.

One of thepreferred embodiments of my invention is a reservoir powderpuff such as shown in the accompanying drawing. In this particulardevice, the preferred permeation mechanism or medium is pliable andelastic, and is combined preferably with soft material such as cotton orsilk, for applying the dispensed powder in the most pleasant andeffective manner.

Although other permeation devices have been known, several very valuableadditional advantages over the known devices are present in my improvedarrangement. For example, powder puffs, although heretofore devised tohold powder and intended to dispense it, have never contained meanswhereby distribution could be regulated positively and evenly for anypracticable `length of time, to say nothing of preventing loss of powderwhen the puff is not in use. Nor have any powder cans or containers beendeveloped which, in certain operations for which my invention is useful,can dispense the powder with any comparable combination of evenness,speed, convenience, and adjustability of amount. For sifting, bolting,or grading of small particles, my invention also offers new means ofespecial value, by using only a single, simple, and compact screeningmedium capable of wide yet exact variations of permeability which arepositively, quickly, and conveniently obtained.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferredform of a reservoir powder puff embodiment of my invention, shown with aportion cut away to reveal part of the insert and filling segment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the complete puff, with filling valveshown slightly open.

Fig. 3 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken through Fig. 2 online 3 3.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of` the structure of the body of the puff,showing the nature of a preferred form of `backing and of facingmaterial attached thereto.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the elastic insert, with the fillingsegment partially attached thereto.`

The pull, as shown, is composed chiefly of two sections 1 and 2, each ofwhich may be made up. of pile material 5 in combination with backing 8.Backing 8 consists preferably of rubber elements 6 interwoven withfabric elements 7. However, this backing might consist, especially inother embodiments, of any other appropriate materials desired, such assprings and wires or even rods, and having any other pattern, degree ofporosity, proportion of elastic and nonelastic elements, manner ofconnection, or any other desired variation from the particular exampleherein shown, without departing from my invention, providing theresulting unit be distensible, contain interstices, and, undermanipulation, vary in area circumscribed as the porosity of saidinterstices simultaneously varies. Moreover, and also within the scopeof my invention, any

desired material other than the pile substance here shown, and attachedin any other desired way, or merely loosely associated, may be used.

Continuing with the particular embodiment of my invention here shown,segment 4 preferably composed of elastic or distensibly pliablematerial, here rubber sheeting, is cemented or otherwise secured toinsert 3 along edges 9, as indicated in Fig. 5 by the dotted strip 10extending along one of said edges 9. Segment 4 is left open at both endsto form, in combination with insert 3, a valve for filling the puff withpowder and at all other times to prevent passage thereof. If desired,means such as snap fasteners (not shown) may be used to keep thevalvemore securely closed when not in use, and segment 4 could be fastenedotherwise than as here shown, at its end. Insert 3 is also preferablyofrthin rubber sheeting, secured as by cementing to the back of o theouter end to section 11 asis done in the device shown.

As another variation within the scope of the puff form of embodiment ofmy invention, element 3, instead of being used as an insert, might be`used in place of section 2, thereby dispensing with the latter. In suchcase, element 3 might be joined to face 1 as by cementing the edgesaround the periphery only, thereby obviating the seam 11 of the deviceshown in the attached drawing.v

In the form shown, segment 4 is preferably first cemented as heretoforeexplained to insert 3 whereupon the latter, with the segment outside, iscemented or otherwise attached to section 2. Then sections 1 and 2,\withpile sides together, are sewed nearly around, turned inside out,finished as to sewing and slitted at the valve opening whereby with theouter end of segment 4 attached to seam lap of section 2, thereresultsthe finished article shown in Fig. 2. Whatever the form ofvv puffadopted, sections 1 and 2 contain spacebetween them sufficient to hold asupply of powder. It is to be noted especially that backing 8 can be soformed as to have any desired degree of porosity, preferably anegligible amount normally, that is, in the absence of manipulationintended to dispense powder. In the process of distension of thisbacking by manipulation or stretching, the non-elastic elements I alsolengthen, yet prevent undue stretching of the unit. This lengthening ofthe non-elastic elements is made possible by such features as loosenessof weave, twisted, knitted, or wavy structure of elements, or bydecrease in cross-sectional area of the elastic elements when stretched.

It will be seen that by the arrangement of reservoir and dispensingmeans associated therewith, as above described, there is obtained theadvantage of normal substantial impermeability of the dispensing means,due to the contraction of the elastic elements '7, whereas when thedispensing section is manipulated, the powder may pass through theinterstices of the backing 8. Such passage or permeating is of coursevariable and dependent upon the degree of manipulation imparted and iseffected in a positive manner with an even distribution of powder` Thepowder puff, in accordance with the above is compact, simple and ofdesirable appearance and positively retains the powder until it isdesired to be applied. Its porosity is variable, thus suiting theneed orpreference of an individual user.

While the preferred embodiment as described is in the nature of a powderpuff, it will be understood that my invention comprehends manymodifications, alternatives and equivalents, and all such are intendedto be covered by vand included within the scope and range of theinvention. Further, my invention is not limited to the foregoing termsbut contemplates a wide variety, not only of different applications orembodiments but also of equivalents for any one application orembodiment, to-wit: every new and useful device or new and-usefulelement or combination of elements thereof, coming within the broadestpurview and construction possible to the validity of the claimshereinafter appended.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthis invention that `others can by applying current knowledge readilyadapt it for various applications without omitting certain featuresthat, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention andtherefore such adaptations should and are intended t0 be comprehendedWithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A powder containing puff comprising a container for the powder formedby container sections, a, section consisting of interconnected fabric,elastic, and puff elements, the elastic elements normally maintainingsaid section substantially impervious to the passage of powdertherethrough, and capable, when distended, of forming with the fabricelements a plurality of interstices through which the powder may bedispensed from the container to said puff elements for application.

2. Ina device of the character described, a pliable, mesh-like mediumpracticably adapted to permeation by particles of solid matter insignificantly variable amounts, and elastic members combined with saidmedium and suitable to regulate permeation therethrough.

3. A powder dispensing and applying device characterized by a permeationmedium having a soft exterior and interwoven construction, andcontaining a plurality of elastic elements, said elastic elements beingadapted to automatically maintain said medium substantially imperviousto powder normally, while permitting said medium to become permeable invariable degrees under appropriate manipulation, permeation taking placethrough a plurality of interstitial openings between said elements.

4. A powder container and dispensing device embodying a pliablepermeation member containing non-elastic and elastic materials, saidelastic material normally maintaining said member substantiallyimpervious to the passage of powder therethrough, and capable whendistended of forming with the non-elastic material, interstitial areathrough which powder may be dispensed from the container through saidmember, and in combination with said permeation member, soft materialfor applying dispensed powder.

5. A pliable medium permeable to powder and composed. of a' backing ofmesh-like structure consisting of interwoven fabric and elasticelements, and a facing contiguous to said backing, of soft material.

6. .A powder dispensing medium of controllable permeability consistingof interwoven fabric and elastic elements, with which is combined powderapplying material.

'1. A powder containing puff of pliable assembly comprising a containerfor the powder havinga wall portion of soft exterior and embodyingelements yielding decidedly elastic reaction to manipulation, said wallportion normally resisting passage of powder therethrough and partsl ofsaid wall portion being capable of distortion relative to one another,and when'so distorted, providing interstitial area for dispensing powderfrom said container.

8. A powder containing puff comprising a covering or envelope for thepowder having a portion thereof normally relatively impervious to thepassage of powder therethrough and beng capable of substantially normaldistentionl and, when so distended, providing interstitial areas fordispensing powder from the container, said por- 1,979,294 tion having anexterior facing of softmaterial adapted to apply the powder. 4

9. As a new article of manufacture, a reservoir powder puif containing'interstitial dispensing area normally substantially enlargeable bymanipulation and containing elastic material adapted normally tomaintain such area substantially closed in the absence oi suchmanipulation.

- ing of interconnected fabric and elastic elements.`

10. As a new article cf manufacture, `a powder puif adapted lto containpowder and characterized by a dispensing surface having openingsdecidedly variable in area under normal manipulation, and containingelastic means adapted to limit eiectively the size of such openings inthe absence of manipulation. v

11 A powder container and dispensing device comprising containersections, a .section consistthe elastic elements normally maintainingsaid section substantially impervious to the passage of powdertherethrough, and capable when dise tended of formingwith the fabricelements a plurality of interstices through which the powder may bedispensed from the container through said section.

`12. A powder container and dispensing device embodying a pliablepermeation member contain- `minimum degree oi permeability subject tosubstantial increase of such permeability upon distention of suchelastic elements.

14. A device having a hollowI interior and an exterior embodying apermeation member having a porous structure and containing means adaptedto limit felastically the extent of porosity olfl said member in theabsence of manipulation, said velastic means being adapted to permitsubstantially different simultaneous changes in the porosity of variousportions oi said member.

15. A powder container and dispensing device embodying a pliable andelastic wall portionl normally substantially occlusive and vcapable ofproviding, when distended, interstitial area for dispensing powder fromthe container.

16. A powder containing and dispensing device comprising a hollowcontainer for the powder having a dispensing wall portion thereofcapable oi' elastic distention, and when so distended, providingdispensing area enlargeable within normal limits in proportion to thedegree of such distention.

17. In a powder permeation device, a permeable medium external toconfined powder and of substantially pliable assembly, said mediumyielding under manipulation, interstitial area enlargeable within normallimits in proportion to eifort expended, and, `in combination with saidmedium, a plurality of decidedly elastic elements which resist, withoutpreventing, changes from the relaxed extent of said area.

18. In a device .adaptable to operations involving permeationof piecesoi.' solid matter, a permeable member characterized by mesh-likestructure with interstices adjustable to different sizes, and,interconnected in said member, elements for regulating said variationsof size with distinct eiectiveness.

419. In a device adaptable to operations involving permeation oi'particles of solid matter, a permeation mechanism characterized by ameshy permeation medium containing interstices susceptible of variationin area under manipulation, and, combined in said medium, elasticelements adapted to restore said medium automatically to its normalcondition alter such manipmation.

20. In a mechanism suitable for operations involving permeationoi'particles of solid matter, a mesh-like permeation medium of apermeability signiiicantly variable by manipulation, and in 115combination therewith, decidedly elastic means ,adapted to resistchanges in permeability oi.' said medium by such manipulation.

21. In a permeation device practicable for only solid particles, a wallmember or sheet containing a plurality of elastic elements andcharacterized by a plurality of openings between said elements, saidopenings normally being substantially enlargeable by manipulationagainst the resilient

